[Federal Register: December 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 240)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 69633-69634]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15de03-22]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 69633]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NE-51-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG,
Models Spey 555-15, 555-15H, 555-15N, and 555-15P Turbojet Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (RRD), models Spey 555-15,
555-15H, 555-15N, and 555-15P turbojet engines, with magnesium split
low pressure (LP) compressor case, part number (P/N) EU.73418A
installed. This proposed AD would require replacement of the magnesium
split LP compressor case with a serviceable compressor case that is a
combination of a steel front LP compressor case and a shortened split
compressor case. This proposed AD results from several reports of bird
ingestion and LP stage 1 rotor blade failures that have resulted in
penetration of the magnesium LP compressor case, and damage to the
airplane. We are proposing this AD to prevent possible uncontained LP
stage 1 rotor blade failures that could result in damage to the
airplane.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by February 13,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD:
[sbull] By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No.
2003-NE-51-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
[sbull] By fax: (781) 238-7055. [sbull] By e-mail: 9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov.
You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, D-15827
Dahlewitz, Germany, telephone +49 (0) 33-7086-1768; fax +49 (0) 33-
7086-3356.
You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781)
238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-51-AD'' in the
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those
comments.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You may get more information about
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www
.plainlanguage.gov.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the
location.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on RRD models Spey 555-15, 555-15H, 555-15N, and 555-15P turbojet
engines. The LBA advises that several reports of bird ingestion and LP
stage 1 rotor blade failures have resulted in penetration of the
current design magnesium split LP compressor case, and damage to the
airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Service Bulletin (SB) No. Sp72-893,
Revision 3, dated August 25, 2003, describes procedures for replacing
the magnesium split LP compressor case, P/N EU.73418A, by reworking the
front bearing housing and reworking certain affected brackets
necessary, and installing Modification Kit Spey 5515. The kit contains
a new design steel front case and shortened split compressor case.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These RRD models Spey 555-15, 555-15H, 555-15N, and 555-15P
turbojet engines, manufactured in Germany, are type-certificated for
operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable
bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral
airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept us informed of the situation
described above. We have examined the LBA's findings, reviewed all
available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for
products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the
United States. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
replacing the current design magnesium split LP compressor case with a
serviceable compressor case that is a combination of a steel front case
and a shortened split case, within 60 months after the effective date
of the AD. The AD compliance time is based on comprehensive Rolls-Royce
[[Page 69634]]
investigation and risk assessment results.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the Proposed AD
On July 10, 2002, we issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR
47998, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products,
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in
future AD actions.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 184 RRD models Spey 555-15, 555-15H, 555-15N, and
555-15P turbojet engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet.
We estimate that 34 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD. We also estimate that it would
take about 6 work hours per engine to perform the proposed actions, and
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would
cost about $37,000 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the
total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $1,271,260.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-51-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14
CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG: Docket No. 2003-NE-51-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness
directive (AD) action by February 13, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG
(RRD), models Spey 555-15, 555-15H, 555-15N, and 555-15P turbojet
engines, with magnesium split low pressure (LP) compressor case,
part number (P/N) EU.73418A installed. These engines are installed
on, but not limited to, Fokker F.28 Mark 1000, Mark 2000, Mark 3000,
and Mark 4000 series airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD is prompted by several reports of bird ingestion and
LP stage 1 rotor blade failures that have resulted in penetration of
the magnesium split LP compressor case and damage to the airplane.
We are issuing this AD to prevent possible uncontained LP stage 1
rotor blade failures that could result in damage to the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within 60 months after the effective date of this AD,
unless the actions have already been done.
Replacement of Magnesium Split LP Compressor Case With a Serviceable
Compressor Case
(f) Remove the magnesium split LP compressor case, P/N
EU.73418A, from the engine and install a serviceable compressor
case. Information on removing and replacing this P/N case can be
found in RRD Service Bulletin (SB) No. Sp72-893, Revision 3, dated
August 25, 2003.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) None.
Related Information
(i) LBA airworthiness directive 2003-261, dated August 25, 2003,
also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 5, 2003.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30851 Filed 12-12-03; 8:45 am]
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